When it comes to the topic of remote working, I have to stop and have a think. For myself, I don’t consider the title to be remote working, but aspirational working. Working where you want to, when you want to, whilst meeting your objectives. We’ve been asked to focus on what the ‘rules’ are for remote working and for me it’s true that there are some rules between myself and my partners, both business and personal. However, it’s also fair to say that what suits one person doesn’t suit another.
What I will say, however, is that you do need a good chair. You also need a lot of water, a quiet place to speak if need be - and the ability to make sure that you are fitting in what you need to get done, by the time you need to get it done. Deliverables are the most important thing in anyone’s work life, and for me, the second rule (after a good chair) is that I am meeting my deliverables, with the reward being extra time.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Peter // Apr 1, 2008 at 11:23 am
Totally agree with you. Delivering is No 1 priority otherwise you don’t get paid.
The only negative I can see from remote working is not being able to interact with others when they are available, but with forward planning I know that meetings can be scheduled.
At my work, if anyone is ‘working from home remotely’ there is an assumption they are really doing other things. We need to change this concept so that more can work remotely.
Looking forward to hearing more from your week.
2 admin // Apr 1, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Peter,
I use things like IM programs, and video calls to stay in touch, it’s second nature for me. We also set some rules when we started working remotely which have helped greatly over the years.
I wonder how we can help put together a case for remote working that could assist you in your challenge of changing perceptions?
3 Peter // Apr 2, 2008 at 3:32 pm
That sounds really good.
I know when I work remotely (from home) I do make sure I contact the boss at least a couple of times to discuss ‘work related matters’.
Would be interested in any other remote working ‘principles’
4 Elena Sardella // Apr 2, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Fair call. I work in a sales environment, and have long had it drilled into me that I should only devote my time to “dollar productive activities” which means at the end of the week I need to be fully accountable to my manager for how/where/why: I have spent my time that week.
I think it will need to come down to accountability.Yes, delivering the results is critical, but if a lot of your work is part of a much bigger process, then the rules for working remotely will mean that an employee will need to demonstrate that they are in fact attending to various work related tasks.
Its not dissimilar to the environment of a few solicitor friends of mine - they need to account for all of their activities on a day to day basis so that their firms know how much they are billing.
I always say - often people don’t know exactly how much you do until you stop doing it - well this way you would just be telling them!
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